Page 98 of Grounded By Love
"I realize all of that is true."
"Yet it didn't stop you from rushing in and ruining everything." The tears finally spilled over, and she wiped angrily at them. This was no time for tears. She wanted to be strong in front of him.
Kaeldar sighed heavily and even through her heated gaze she was able to realize he looked weary. There seemed to be something different about him, but she couldn’t place her finger on it.
Before she could react, he wrapped his strong arms around her, and she melted against him. It had been so long, and she’d craved his touch more than she realized.
"Why have you come back Kaeldar?"
"To bring you back."
"Bring me back?"
"Yes, Claira. I have come to bring you back with me."
"Were you ever going to ask if I wanted to come with you?"
"Yes, I was, my sweet, but I saw him kiss your hand. I’m not perfect, and a rage consumed me, and before I knew it I struck him down."
She remained quite, and then pushed away. Her eyes flashed, as she demanded, "And why would I ever go back with you to the rock giant castle?"
At first, she thought he may not answer her, but then he whispered, "Because I love you, and I have loved you for so very long now."
Her breath caught in her throat. She had waited so long to hear those words come from his lips.
"It might be too late to say that." She couldn't stop herself from uttering the sentence, because he had put her through so much.
"I’m hoping I can regain your love, and that I haven’t waited too long." He took a deep breath and continued on. "I have taken the kingship from my father, and my people stand behind me. It wasn’t safe before, but now, I can take you back with me.”
After she said nothing he stated, "I will take you back to the village or where ever you wish to go. I am truly sorry for what I have put you through. Tell me never to see you again, and you will never have to lay eyes on me, but tell me you love me, and I will never let you regret it.”
“Except for when you kill innocent villagers.”
“That is all in the past. I haven’t killed a villager since meeting you, well, there was the one male who attacked you.”
“The male has a name, Robert.”
“He attacked you, Claira. Was I to stand by and let him?”
“No, and I’ve come to accept that you thought it was the only way, but that doesn’t explain the other villagers.”
“What other villagers?” He threw his hands in the air.
“When we split from a group, after I saved your life. You just let your men march off to a human village.”
Kaeldar shook his head.
“Right before we came to the castle?”
Then he nodded. “I remember now, but they did not kill any civilians.”
“How do you know?”
“Your village was one of the few that still has villagers on the border. The one they marched to was vacant, except for some human troops.”
“Oh.”
“Now that my father is out of power, I can help put a stop to innocent deaths. He would not have cared, but I do. I care because I love you, but the war must go on. Either the humans win, we win or we come to a standstill.”
